Monday, August 17, 2009

We've lost a friend: James Langergaard, 1971-2009

Posted by Mickey Z on 08/17 at 04:32 AM
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  2. This is incredibly sad news.

    My condolences to all those who knew him.

    Posted by michael from nearer scotland  on  08/17  at  06:00 AM

  3. ALL

    http://tinyurl.com/ouuxgv WE R THE LUCKY ONES ..

    http://tinyurl.com/orgsem WE REMEMBER

    .. and r blessed to have known you ..  JAMES ..

    Posted by richie from st james city, FL  on  08/17  at  06:02 AM

  4. Excellent post in James’ honor, Mick.  It is very strange and sad to think that he is no longer with us.

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/17  at  08:10 AM

  5. Thanks, JOS, Richie, Michael. A sudden death does inspire a sense of disbelief, huh?

    Richie: I didn’t miss your comment last night, re: your first born 35 years ago. so how about a moment of silence for Tony Joe, too?

    We may be expendable in the eyes of the dominant culture but in reality, each of us are completely irreplaceable in a more cosmic sense.

    Here’s to appreciating the here and now.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/17  at  08:18 AM

  6. This news has hit me in so many ways. I don’t want to sound insincere as I had never met James in person but earlier this year we started to mail privately a bit more and talk on Facebook too.

    James seemed like another me on the other side of the globe. Read the same kind of books, almost the same age and liked to write. When I started to write to him a bit it was instantly open like friends should be. What a loss. One James was worth millions of planet destroying selfish assholes that we have to live with everyday.

    Here’s the biggest connection though, and one that has shook me. I live for bikes. There were three brief years after high school where I ditched my bike and ‘grew up’ and started driving. But I hated it and when I left to travel Asia, teach and try live a good life ten years ago, I gave up cars for good.

    For the past 8 years I have ridden my bike in Shanghai every day. It has long been out of my mind that one day a car driver could take my life in one thoughtless moment. I don’t know the exact circumstances of James’s death, of course.

    It’s just incomprehensible that someone with a real conscience likes James can go so easily and whole will know while the Browns, Blairs, Obamas and Bushes of the world are treated like heroes.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  08/17  at  08:40 AM

  7. Thanks for sharing that, Andy. It is a source of immense pride for me that such amazing folks have met here and gone on to independently create friendships.

    Btw, as far as I know, James didn’t even have a driver’s license.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/17  at  09:03 AM

  8. I found this profile of James.  The ending is completely eerie in light of what just happened.

    “Would You Bike if You Were a Millionaire? Yes, it’s part of who I am.

    NYC Wish List: Easy, safe, convenient 24-hour access to the Queensboro Bridge. (Note: I don’t care about bike lanes.)

    Philosophy: Deep down I really don’t like cars,- electric, natural gas or whatever. I’m not just here to party.”

    Here is the link: http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/magazine/985SepOct/16volunteer.html

    I keep replaying our last conversation together, Mickey.  Remember how James was talking about going to cooking school but was afraid of getting into debt?  At one point I turned to him and said, “Go for it, dude.  Life is short.”

    James was the first Expendable I met, and though I didn’t know him long, we did hang out a couple times.  I’m still rather in shock.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City  on  08/17  at  12:03 PM

  9. Thanks for the quote of the day, MZ: We may be expendable in the eyes of the dominant culture but in reality, each of us are completely irreplaceable in a more cosmic sense. In my shock, the closest I could get to this was ‘James was anything but expendable.’

    I second Andy’s conscience/criminal observation. James’ departure makes no sense at all.

    A thimbleful of better news is that one of my cats was adopted in MA. (It was awful leaving them but an old friend runs a great shelter.) As a kitten, Caesar was abandoned too early and had serious issues. I spent great effort to remedy these, but his difficulties lingered. After an adjustment period at the shelter, he came out of his shell, doing fine and making a strong impression on everyone. Now he’s got a new place. Next up is the professional noodge and closeted mouser, Groucho.

    Posted by Zen Prole from Pac NW  on  08/17  at  12:20 PM

  10. In sorrow, anger, happiness and rebellion, expendables of the world are together.

    Posted by Rick (the Cartoonist) from England  on  08/17  at  12:44 PM

  11. This is truly awful news. I met James and his girlfriend (along with Keir, Mickey and Michele) in Astoria. He was incredibly approachable, engaging and bright.

    What a terrible waste. I’m shocked.

    Please let me know if anyone knows of a way to pay tribute.

    Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va  on  08/17  at  01:12 PM

  12. I’d say you just did, Maxwell.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City  on  08/17  at  01:17 PM

  13. Hello again, friends. I do believe that donations in his name can be made to Transportation Alternatives:
    http://www.transalt.org

    Charles: I also keep replaying that conversation with him. He was just about to take the leap and try that school.

    Thanks, Zen, Maxwell, Rick, and everyone else.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/17  at  03:27 PM

  14. It’s great reading all of todays posts...I can’t say much more...I cry easily...Thanks Nancy for the Racoon story.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  08/17  at  04:31 PM

  15. So sorry to read this.  Condolences from me as well - and thanks for this moving post, Mickey. 

    Back from Melbourne since yesterday - to a cooler Daylesford.  Temperatures are going to rise to 70F in Melbourne on Thursday, but in NW Victoria it is almost always at least 4 to 6 degrees cooler. 

    Best wishes go to Michael, richie, JOS, Andy (I could not agree more with you here: ‘It’s just incomprehensible that someone with a real conscience likes James can go so easily and whole will know while the Browns, Blairs, Obamas and Bushes of the world are treated like heroes’.  How come the good almost always die young?) Charles, Zen Prole, Rick, Maxwell Black, Joe of Meine - and Mickey, of course. 

    Good to be among expendables ..

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  08/17  at  08:00 PM

  16. Hello friends. Michele and I are just back home after the wake. It was no surprise to see it jammed. James was loved and will always be loved.

    They had an open coffin. A little jolting at first but I felt like it gave me a chance to see him one more time and talk with him: say goodbye and wish him luck.

    I brought copies of the photo from last week in Central Park. James’ Mom and girlfriend seemed thrilled to have it.

    A sad, sad night.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/17  at  08:22 PM

  17. Walked through Manhattan today.  Every bicyclist I see reminds me of James.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City, NJ  on  08/17  at  09:57 PM

  18. This is terrible; heart-wrenching.

    Our lives cut short like a film that breaks and no one to splice it-- how does our whole story really end? We will never know.

    What a handsome guy James was-- with a handsome group.

    Captcha sez “never”

    Never forever.

    I’ll pray otherwise.

    Posted by Robert B. Livingston from San Francisco  on  08/17  at  10:21 PM

  19. My condolences.

    Posted by Don Durito (Dr. B's latest pseudonym) from U$A  on  08/18  at  12:37 AM

  20. I’ve put up a small tribute post at my blog here - James Langergaard.

    I’ve used the Bike Philosopher vid footage. My blog of the Shanghai music scene has about 5000 IPs checking out each article and I sincerely think that if reading that tribute puts even a small percentage of those onto TA, or being vegan or cycling then it’s worth it. After all, that is what we all hope to do, spread the word of sanity.

    I’m riding tonight and will be thinking of James.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  08/18  at  01:00 AM

  21. Thanks, Robert and Don.

    Andy: The link to your blog didn’t come through on your comment so I’ll post it here:
    http://tinyurl.com/olgf8f

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/18  at  07:20 AM

  22. Btw, on the way to and from the wake last night, we passed the intersection - Queens Blvd. and 69th St. - at which James died.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/18  at  07:59 AM

  23. Yes...thoughts about Tony Joe who would be 35 now.

    About James, the gently soul who left us much too soon - I can’t stop thinking about him, and his Mom and girlfriend and all of those who loved him and will continue to love him.

    Posted by RMJ from Ward Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/18  at  08:05 AM

  24. I’m sorry I didn’t know James better, and now never will. Can’t say more, like Joe I cry easily.

    Posted by Mew from England  on  08/18  at  09:49 AM

  25. I’m with those of you who have few words now...not for lack of emotion.

    Posted by Keir from here and there  on  08/18  at  10:26 AM

  26. Hello again, all. Can any of you who do Facebook check James’ page to get the funeral details for tomorrow? If so, maybe you can post them here in a comment, okay?

    Thanks…

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/18  at  05:36 PM

  27. Here you go…

    Service: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 – 10:30 AM

    at: Trinity-St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church

    6066 60th Avenue
    Maspeth, NY

    (In the triangle between Metropolitan Ave, Flushing Ave and Fresh Pond Rd)

    Church Phone:

    Posted by JOS from Oak Park  on  08/18  at  05:49 PM

  28. Thanks, JOS. Much appreciated.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/18  at  05:52 PM

  29. Keir and I went to the wake Tuesday night.  Friends and family members gave little talks about how they knew James.  It made me regret that I never got to know him better.  His mother seemed like a complete rock as she sat there, so strong.  I doubt I could appear the same if that were my child.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City  on  08/19  at  01:27 AM

  30. *******************

    *************THE STORY OF LIFE IS QUICKER THAN THE WINK OF AN EYE ..

    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    .............THE STORY OF LOVE IS HELLO AND GOOD-bye......

    #########################

    ############ until we meet again ..........

    jimi 09/18/1970

    http://www.bebo.com/The_Secret_Song

    ...  ************ ... $$$$$$$$$$$$ richie rip

    Posted by richie from st james city, FL  on  08/19  at  04:12 AM

  31. In today’s New York Daily News:
    http://tinyurl.com/n3gr3r

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/19  at  04:19 AM
  32. Between 2000 and 2005, accidents on Queens Blvd. injured about 500 pedestrians and 100 bikers — and killed 17 walkers, Norvell said.

    That’s from the Daily News article. How can that happen across 5 years - an accident almost every 3 days - and it not be a massive issue that is across the headlines until it’s full resolution?

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  08/19  at  06:18 AM

  33. I’m just back from the funeral. A powerful and overwhelmingly sad experience...made somewhat bizarre by all the Jesus talk. I guess it comforted James’ Mom but I really wanted to scream out: “What is Jesus gonna do about Queens Blvd.?” Afterwards, outside the church, the connection of shared shock and grief ran deep and I was glad to be there...for myself and for others.

    Does anyone have thoughts as to how long they;d like to see this post about James stay up?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/19  at  11:07 AM

  34. Andy, no one does the math on anything. In a sense, that’s what so much of the shared Expendable outrage about the world is about.

    Mickey, to answer your question (#32)...James was a great subject changer, always finding a good moment to shift the conversation. (No doubt a result of his love of absurd humor.) Andy wrote such a moving and inspiring sentence in his tribute to James...

    "James was one of the few people who lived in a way which did not make a mockery of his values."
    ...I think it is a fitting tribute to our friend to continue on doing that, whenever you have new writing with which you’d like to instigate the conversation.

    Posted by Keir from here and there  on  08/19  at  11:52 AM

  35. Thanks, Keir.

    Btw, I was really happy to learn that you and Charles went to the wake last night.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/19  at  12:08 PM

  36. Thanks for the reports from the wake and funeral.

    Keir’s #33 is right on, and Andy’s quote about James is what being an Expendable is all about: maintain perspective/voice/humor and refuse to bow down easily.

    MZ, would it be out of line to suggest that ‘James Langergaard 1971-2009’ be addded at upper right, under your mom’s name? This is conditional on everyone agreeing to a moratorium on tragedy for at least the next six weeks.

    Posted by Zen Prole from Pac NW  on  08/19  at  01:25 PM

  37. I just want to add my condolences to the list...sorry it is so late, been dealing with another unexpected death…

    Posted by subgenius from hell-A  on  08/19  at  03:15 PM

  38. Hi all...I think we should keep the memory of James for a long time here.  I continue to have him in my thoughts a lot. The circumstances of his death show how messed up we are as a society. I have often had to remind those who criticize school buses for children “because we old timers had to walk to school”, that we had less vehicular traffic and sidewalks in the old days. Many areas, including where I live, have no sidewalks and NO shoulders along side of the roads. Children, joggers, bikers, are all at risk.

    Posted by RMJ from Ward Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/19  at  03:16 PM

  39. Thanks, all.

    Condolences to you, too, subgenius.

    I think a tribute link to James is a great idea. Thanks to Nancy, it will be up soon. This way, when I change the post, his name will stay up top.

    So, I’ll put up a new/old/classic post very soon and then let that sit for a while, too. By next week, I’ll get back to what Keir called subject changing.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/19  at  03:29 PM

  40. As for subject changing, here’s a story I think James would have gotten a kick out of. It’s David Byrne, one of his favorites, calling bullshit on U2’s environmental credentials.

    Posted by Keir from here and there  on  08/19  at  03:45 PM

  41. so sad and tragic

    a friend shared this interesting web site today, so i took the opportunity to try it out

    http://personas.media.mit.edu/personasWeb


    james

    Posted by nancy from   on  08/19  at  08:14 PM

  42. Thanks, Nancy. Very cool link. And thanks for adding the permanent James link up there on the top right. And thanks to Zen for suggesting it.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/19  at  08:25 PM

  43. Keir #33: “James was one of the few people who lived in a way which did not make a mockery of his values.” All the more reason to mourn his loss - and at such a young age! 

    MIckey #32:  ‘ ...A powerful and overwhelmingly sad experience...made somewhat bizarre by all the Jesus talk. I guess it comforted James’ Mom but I really wanted to scream out: “What is Jesus gonna do about Queens Blvd.?” You are exactly right, Mickey!  Another question might be:  ‘If God exists, why does he/she allow such blatant injustice in the world and allow good people to die young while real ‘baddies’ live to a ripe old age?  I know, I know, that sounds naive but still ..

    And hello to all those expendables who have commented here since I last ‘called in’, i.e. Robert B. Livingston, Don Durito, Rosemarie, Mew, subgenius, keir and Nancy - and whoever might come after me. 

    Keep up the good fight!  Oh, and I think a tribute link to James is a very good idea (Mickey #38).

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  08/19  at  08:41 PM

  44. Just walked in the door from a lengthy absence from town and computer.  This is terribly saddening news, even though I didn’t know James.  The photograph is a nice shot indeed, but it must be strange for the four other Expendables who shared that day with James to revisit it.

    It’s funny you included the Bob Dylan song in the post Mickey, because it’s a favourite of mine.  It reminds me of my friend Shawn who died young in a canoe accident several years ago.  I miss him dearly, and every now and again I really wish I could talk to him. 

    I hate hearing shit like this.

    Posted by Mike from Cariboo, BC  on  08/20  at  01:11 AM

  45. Reflecting on what Mike just said and then all the comments I have realised what an influence James and all of the expendables have had on me despite never meeting anyone in person.

    Coming into any contact with people who really live their values in a humane way inspires and pushes you to do the same.

    And on this blog, hearing people say stuff out as it really is and express themselves is a breath of fresh air that in turn helps you to speak out too.

    Too many so called ‘left-leaning’ people I know or knew fall foul of partisan politics or the establishment - with the biggest causalities coming via Obama’s rise. It’s so important to hear truly radical voices.

    As we all know, the supposedly good things governments have done almost always follow the action of movements - which are in turn usually propelled by the efforts or writings of a small minority of activists/humane beings.

    When we lose a rare rational voice in this world it reminds us how vital radical voices are if we are to have any hope at all.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  08/20  at  02:18 AM

  46. Thanks again, one and all. A new post is now up.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/20  at  02:42 AM

  47. I’m saddened and altogether shocked to learn of James’ death.

    My sympathies go out to his girlfriend, family (including his cats, whom I hope will be cared for by loving people they might already know), and friends. 

    May his loss be long lamented and his life be celebrated longer still.

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/23  at  12:42 PM

  48. Thank you, Empress. It’s good to hear your “voice.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from on the road  on  08/23  at  04:38 PM

  49. Nice blog information.  Its articles like this one that I will bookmark it to promote on the internet because its well composed.

    Posted by online games from   on  01/10  at  04:40 PM

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